CLIAMS:1. A bearing system configured on a bush, said bearing system comprising:

o a race element having at least one first rolling surface and at least one radially extending flange configured thereon, said race element disposed co-axially with respect to the bush having at least one second rolling surface configured thereon such that said at least one first rolling surface and said at least one second rolling surface face each other;
o at least one row of rolling elements interposed between said at least one first rolling surface and said at least one second rolling surface and retained between said race element and said bush by said at least one radially extending flange; and
o at least one sealing element disposed between said race element and said bush for preventing ingress of foreign matter in space between said race element and said bush and also preventing purging of lubricating medium from space between said race element and said bush.

2. The bearing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bush is co-axially received in said race element and a radially inward extending flange retains said rolling elements between said race element and said bush.

3. The bearing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said race element is co-axially received in said bush and a radially outward extending flange retains said rolling elements between said race element and said bush.

4. The bearing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sealing element is an annular labyrinth seal.

5. The bearing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bush is an inner bush of clutch release bearing assembly. ,TagSPECI:Field:

The present disclosure generally relates to a bearing. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a vehicle clutch release bearing for rotatably supporting a clutch release system during engagement and dis-engagement of a clutch.

Background:

A clutch is a subcomponent of a transmission that engages and disengages power flow between an engine and the transmission. In operation, when a clutch pedal is engaged, a clutch release system pushes a fork against a release bearing. The clutch release bearing pushes against a clutch diaphragm spring to release a pressure plate clamp load on a disc, allowing a crankshaft and flywheel to rotate at engine speed, while the disc and transmission input shaft coast and in such circumstances the engine power cannot flow through to the transmission. When the driver selects a gear and releases the clutch pedal, the clutch release system retracts the clutch release bearing, the disc slips briefly to provide smooth engagement and the clutch clamps the disc against the flywheel. The clutch, disc and flywheel "lock" together, turning the input shaft and in such circumstances the engine power flows to the transmission.

A clutch release bearing generally includes an outer race having a rolling surface and a radially inwards extending flange and an inner race having a rolling surface. A single row of rolling elements is interposed between the rolling surfaces of the outer race and the inner race. Generally, the clutch release bearing is mounted on an inner bush for configuring a clutch release assembly. The radially inward extending flange of the outer race of the clutch release bearing presses against a clutch finger to release the clutch as the inner bush slides over a clutch assembly guide. Generally, the assembling of the clutch release bearing over the inner bush is cumbersome and requires precision machining of an outer surface of the inner bush and inner surface of said inner race. Further, the conventional release assembly formed by assembling the clutch release bearing over the inner bush is bulky and as such cannot be used where there are space constrains. Further, with such configuration of the clutch release assembly the total number of moving elements is comparatively more, thereby adversely affecting reliability of the clutch release assembly. In some cases, the clutch release bearing can get damaged while it is mounted on the inner bush. Further, such a configuration of the clutch release assembly fails to provide proper sealing to the rolling element as such fails to prevent undesirable ingress of foreign particles and purging or leakage of grease and oil from space between the inner race and the outer race.

Accordingly, there is a need for a clutch release bearing and inner bush assembly having such a configuration that overcomes the inconvenience associated with assembling of the clutch release bearing over the inner bush and also eliminates other problems associated with the assembling of the clutch release bearing over the inner bush. There is a need for a clutch release bearing and inner bush assembly that provide proper sealing to the rolling elements as such fails to prevent undesirable ingress of foreign particles and purging or leakage of grease and oil from space between the inner race and the outer race of the clutch release bearing. Further, there is a need for a clutch release bearing and inner bush assembly that is compact in configuration and can be fitted and used in confined space.

Objects:

Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as follows:

It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an unitized clutch release bearing, wherein a race having a rolling surface and a radially inwards extending flange is directly mounted on or received in an inner bush having a rolling surface with a single row of rolling elements interposed between the rolling surfaces of the race and the inner bush, thereby elimination an inner ring.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an unitized clutch release bearing having such a configuration that eliminates need to assemble a clutch release bearing on an inner bush for configuring a clutch release assembly and hence eliminates drawbacks associated with assembling the clutch release bearing on the inner bush.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an unitized clutch release bearing having a compact configuration, thereby enabling the unitized clutch release bearing to be mounted and used in confined space.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide an unitized clutch release bearing that reduces precision machining requirements by eliminating the need for precision machining of an inner surface of an inner race that is required for assembling the clutch release bearing on the inner bush in case of the conventional clutch release assembly.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an unitized clutch release bearing that involves comparatively fewer number of moving elements compared to conventional clutch release assembly as such exhibits high reliability, extended service life and requires lesser maintenance.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide an unitized clutch release bearing that is simple in construction and easier to manufacture.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an unitized clutch release bearing that is lighter in weight as compared to conventional clutch release bearing formed by assembling a clutch release bearing to an inner bush.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide an unitized clutch release bearing that ensures proper sealing of rolling elements.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an unitized clutch release bearing that prevents undesirable ingress of foreign particles into and purging or leakage of grease and oil from space between an outer surface of an inner bush and a race.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an unitized clutch release bearing that is economical to manufacture and use.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an unitized clutch release bearing that is robust in construction.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figure, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Summary

A bearing system configured on a bush is disclosed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The bearing system includes a race element, at least one row of rolling elements and at least one sealing element. The race element has at least one first rolling surface and at least one radially extending flange configured thereon. The race element is disposed co-axially with respect to the bush having at least one second rolling surface configured thereon such that the at least one first rolling surface and the at least one second rolling surface face each other. The at least one row of rolling elements is interposed between the at least one first rolling surface and the at least one second rolling surface and is retained between the race element and the bush by the at least one radially extending flange. The at least one sealing element is disposed between the race element and the bush for preventing ingress of foreign matter in space between the race element and the bush and also preventing purging of lubricating medium from space between the race element and the bush.

Typically, the bush is co-axially received in the race element and a radially inward extending flange retains said rolling elements between said race element and said bush.

Alternatively, the race element is co-axially received in the bush and a radially outward extending flange retains the rolling elements between the race element and the bush.
Typically, the sealing element is an annular labyrinth seal.

In accordance with an embodiment, the bush is an inner bush of clutch release bearing assembly.

Brief Description of the Accompanying Drawings:

The clutch release bearing will now be explained in relation to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a prior art clutch release assembly, wherein a clutch release bearing is assembled on an inner bush;

Figure 2a and Figure 2b illustrates a schematic representation depicting a side view of the inner bush and a sectional view of the clutch release bearing 04 of the clutch release assembly of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 illustrates a schematic representation of an unitized clutch release bearing in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein a race is mounted on or received within an inner bush with rolling elements interposed between the race and the inner bush, also is illustrated enlarged view of an annular labyrinth seal for configuring sealing between and a radially inward extending flange of the race and the inner bush and a face seal for configuring sealing between the radially outward extending flange of the inner bush and the race.

Detailed Description:

The unitized clutch release bearing of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration. The embodiment herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

The present disclosure envisages an unitized clutch release bearing, wherein a race having a rolling surface and a radially inwards extending flange is mounted on or received within an inner bush having a rolling surface with a single row of rolling elements interposed between the rolling surfaces of the race and the inner bush, thereby elimination the inner ring. Particularly, an outer surface of an inner bush acts as an inner race of the bearing and accordingly, such configuration of the unitized clutch release bearing eliminates need to assemble a clutch release bearing on an inner bush for configuring a clutch release assembly and hence eliminates drawbacks associated with assembling the clutch release bearing on the inner bush. More specifically, such configuration of the unitized clutch release bearing reduces the precision machining requirement by eliminating the need for precision machining of an inner surface of an inner race that is required for assembling the clutch release bearing on the inner bush in case of conventional clutch release assembly. Particularly, in case of the conventional clutch release precision machining is required at two surfaces, i.e. at the outer surface of the inner bush and the inner surface of the inner race and in case of the unitized clutch release bearing, precision machining is required only at one surface i.e. at the outer face of the inner bush 20. Further, unitized clutch release bearing includes provision for sealing of rolling elements for preventing undesirable ingress of foreign particles into and purging or leakage of grease and oil from the space between the outer surface of the inner bush and the race.

Figure 1 illustrates a prior art clutch release assembly 10, wherein a clutch release bearing 04 is assembled on an inner bush 02. Referring to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, the clutch release bearing 04 generally includes an outer race 05 having a rolling surface and a radially inwards extending flange 05a and an inner race 03 having a rolling surface. A single row of rolling elements 06 is interposed between the rolling surfaces of the outer race 05 and the inner race 03.

Referring to Figure 2a and Figure 2b illustrates a schematic representation depicting a side view of the inner bush 02 and a sectional view of the clutch release bearing of the clutch release assembly 10. However, with such configuration of clutch release assembly 10, the assembly of the clutch release bearing 04 over the inner bush 02 is cumbersome and requires precision machining of an outer surface of the inner bush 02 and inner surface of the inner race 03. Further, with such configuration of the clutch release assembly, the total number of moving elements is comparatively more, thereby adversely affecting reliability of the clutch release assembly. In some cases, the clutch release bearing 04 can get damaged while it is mounted on the inner bush 02. Further, such a configuration of the clutch release assembly 10 fails to provide proper sealing to the rolling element 06 as such fails to prevent undesirable ingress of foreign particles and purging or leakage of grease and oil from space between the inner race 03 and the outer race 05.
Figure 3 illustrates a schematic representation of an unitized clutch release bearing 100, wherein a race 30 having a rolling surface and a radially inward extending flange 30a. The race 30 of the unitized clutch release bearing 100 is directly mounted on an inner bush 20 having a rolling surface which is having a curved configuration that is complimentary to the shape of the rolling elements 40 and as such is adapted to receive plurality of rolling elements 40, such that the rolling elements are interposed between the rolling surfaces of the race 30 and the inner bush 20. With such configuration of the unitized clutch release bearing 100, the inner bush 02 and inner ring 03 of the clutch release bearing 04 that are separate components in case of the convention clutch release assembly 10 are unitized as a single component. In case of the unitized clutch release bearing 100, unitized inner race that is a part of the inner bush 20 is pressed by a clutch paddle and the radially inward flange 30a of the race 30 interacts with clutch fingers to release the clutch. With such configuration of the unitized clutch release bearing 100, the inner ring/race of conventional clutch release bearing is eliminated and as such the unitized clutch release bearing 100 involves comparatively fewer number of moving elements compared to conventional clutch release assembly 10 as such exhibits high reliability, extended service life and requires lesser maintenance. Further, with such configuration of the unitized clutch release bearing, the unitized clutch release bearing is lighter in weight as compared to conventional clutch release bearing 10.

Again referring to Figure 3, also is illustrated enlarged view of an annular labyrinth seal 34 for configuring sealing between and the radially inward extending flange 30a of the race 30 and an outer surface of the inner bush 20 and a face seal 32 for configuring sealing between the radially outward extending flange 20a of the inner bush 20 and the race 30. More specifically, the annular labyrinth seal 34 is configured by forming a stepped portion 33 with a circular arc cross-section with a predetermined radius of curvature on the outer ring/ race 30. Further, an annular recessed portion is formed on inner circumference of the outer side end. The recessed portion is arranged opposite to a corner edge of the stepped portion via a small gap. The gap forms an annular labyrinth seal having substantially ‘L” shaped cross section. Further, the face seal 32 is configured on the outer surface 32a of the outer ring /race 30 and rotates with the outer ring/race 30 and slides against the face 22a of radially outward extending flange 20a. Such a configuration of the unitized clutch release bearing 100 ensures proper sealing of rolling elements 40. More specifically, the annular labyrinth seal 34 and the face seal 32 prevents undesirable ingress of foreign particles into and purging or leakage of grease and oil from space between the outer surface of the inner bush 20 and the race 30.

Although, the drawings represent the unitized clutch release bearing, wherein the race having a rolling surface and a radially inwards extending flange is mounted over and receives the inner bush. In accordance with another embodiment, the race element is co-axially received in the bush and a radially outward extending flange retains the rolling elements between the race element and the bush. Such race element that is co-axially received in the bush is functionally and structurally similar to the race element receiving the inner bush and for sake of brevity of the present disclosure is not discribed in details.

Technical Advantages and economic significance:

The unitized clutch release bearing has several technical advantages including but not limited to the realization of:

• an unitized clutch release bearing, wherein a race having a rolling surface and a radially inwards extending flange is directly mounted on or received in an inner bush having a rolling surface with a single row of rolling elements interposed between the rolling surfaces of the race and the inner bush, thereby elimination an inner ring;
• an unitized clutch release bearing having such a configuration that eliminates need to assemble a clutch release bearing on an inner bush for configuring a clutch release assembly and hence eliminates drawbacks associated with assembling the clutch release bearing on the inner bush;
• an unitized clutch release bearing having a compact configuration, thereby enabling the unitized clutch release bearing to be mounted and used in confined space;
• an unitized clutch release bearing that reduces the precision machining requirement by eliminating the need for precision machining of an inner surface of an inner race that is required for assembling the clutch release bearing on the inner bush in case of the conventional clutch release assembly;
• an unitized clutch release bearing that involves comparatively fewer number of moving elements compared to conventional clutch release assembly as such exhibits high reliability, extended service life and requires lesser maintenance;
• an unitized clutch release bearing that is simple in construction and easier to manufacture;
• an unitized clutch release bearing that is lighter in weight as compared to conventional clutch release bearing formed by assembling a clutch release bearing to an inner bush;
• an unitized clutch release bearing that ensures proper sealing of rolling elements; and
• an unitized clutch release bearing that prevents undesirable ingress of foreign particles and purging or leakage of grease and oil from space between an outer surface of an inner bush and a race.

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.

Wherever a range of values is specified, a value up to 10% below and above the lowest and highest numerical value respectively, of the specified range, is included in the scope of the disclosure.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this invention, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other modifications in the nature of the invention or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.